Members of Masked Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) laid out new demands for the Rutgers University campus at a press conference Wednesday, including an order for the university to sever ties with Israel.
Video footage posted on Twitter by a citizen journalist showed three students covering their faces with keffiyehs (traditional Arab scarves). The press conference at Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus was led by students. (Related: Pro-Palestinian student group sues DeSantis administrators over campus ban)
Students stand in front of a sign that reads “Rutgers Profits from the Suffering of Palestinians,” accusing the school of previously banning the group and listing new demands it says must be met. did.
“We recognize that the attempted suspension of our institution is nothing more than a political posturing by Rutgers University in response to Zionist pressure. I knew I couldn't support it,” one student said. “In order to silence our righteous activism, the Rutgers administration treats Palestinian students with malice and disregard, reproducing vicious anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia, or When you report it, you allow it to be encouraged.”
Student activists shared that the suspension of the SJP branch was due to “Zionist pressure.” The suspensions come days after the Department of Education added Rutgers University to the list of schools being investigated for alleged anti-Semitism. The university said the chapter had caused confusion… pic.twitter.com/5xyKWMl75N
— Stu (@thestustustudio) January 17, 2024
Rutgers University suspended the New Brunswick SJP group in December after complaints that the chapter was disrupting campus life and making students feel unsafe, according to NorthJersey.com. A letter from the school to SJP was leaked to the media, detailing the allegations made by Associate Dean of Students Michelle Jefferson and announcing an investigation into SJP. (Related: 'Holocaust 2.0' was allegedly written on a college campus by a pro-Palestinian activist)
“We are told there were multiple instances of disruption to classes, programs, meals, and student learning,” Jefferson said.
The associate dean of students further noted that “there are allegations of vandalism that occurred at Rutgers Business School while your program was in progress.” According to NorthJersey.com, Mr. Jefferson claimed that the alleged evidence found a “reasonable basis to conclude” that the school should suspend the group.
SJP students claimed the school applied a “racist double standard,” but the university lifted the ban on Wednesday and sentenced the group to one year's probation after an investigation. USA Today reported. report.
A spokesperson for Rutgers University-New Brunswick said the interim suspension is typical for the school as it faces multiple conduct complaints.
“The conduct incident involving the Rutgers University-New Brunswick Student Chapter of Justice for Palestine has been resolved and the interim suspension of the organization's activities has ended,” spokeswoman Megan Schuman Florance said, according to USA Today. “The organization received one year's probation along with educational sanctions.”
SJP students continued to list demands, including for the university to “identify and fire” those who leaked suspension notices to the media, and for DEI training for staff and faculty to be “anti-Palestinian.” “Incorporate speciesism,” he demanded. “Providing resources” to Palestinian and Arab students “in the form of an Arab cultural center.” The group also reiterated five previous demands for the school to completely sever ties with Israel.
“First, Rutgers must divest its endowment from Israeli bonds and corporations that support Israeli settler colonialism, apartheid, and genocide. Second, Rutgers University must divest its endowment from Israeli bonds and corporations that support Israeli settler colonialism, apartheid, and genocide. Third, Rutgers members must protect Palestinian students and those who advocate for the exercise of their political rights.'' said the student.
“Fourth, Rutgers University must issue a statement from the Office of the President acknowledging the ongoing genocide against Palestinians and its impact on the university's Palestinian community and advocating for a ceasefire.” The Rutgers five should hire additional professors specializing in Palestine and settler colonial studies and establish a Department of Middle Eastern Studies.
In response to the request, the university said its investment policy “encourages” the community to submit requests, which could be considered pending a decision from the Joint Committee on Investment, USA Today reported. .
